USGA Handicap Index

The current USGA Handicap Index, as of the revision date stated for the event, will be used to determine the contestant’s handicap for events. At the discretion of the Director of Rules & Competitions, the lowest handicap of the past 12 months or another determination may be used. Players who have not posted enough scores to establish a USGA Handicap Index or who have not posted recent scores will play to a Course Handicap of zero or lower at the discretion of the Director of Rules & Competitions.

Handicap Adjustments

When handicaps are being used for events, there will always be the chance for exceptional performances by certain members that can affect the integrity of the competition. An occasional exceptional round is not out of the ordinary; however, a series of exceptional rounds defies the odds of handicapping statistics.

The AGA reserves the right to adjust a contestant’s handicap prior to, during, or after the event at its sole discretion. Should a contestant return a score that falls outside the USGA’s estimate of ‘less than 250-1 odds’, that contestant may be assigned a revised handicap in multiple-day events; in single-day events, such will be grounds for modification, and/or re-flighting, or in extreme cases disqualification at the sole discretion of the Committee. Any score ‘less than 1,500-1 odds’ will be reviewed by the Committee to determine if further action is to be considered.

If there are specific handicap requirements for entry into an AGA event, they will be posted on the event page on the website at azgolf.org.

Posting Tournament Scores to the USGA

The AGA posts scores for all AGA Members for individual stroke play events, including USGA Qualifying Rounds. At all team events the AGA posts the rating information and requests that all contestants post their own scores as T-Scores. If during random checking it is determined that AGA Members are not posting their T-scores from team events as requested, penalty scores may be posted and/or a suspension from playing events may be imposed by the AGA in accordance with the USGA Handicap System guidelines.

The top 64 players and ties in the stroke play portion of the AZ Amateur and top 60 & ties in the AZ Stroke Play are exempt the following year into the respective Championships. If a player does not use that exemption, it carries forward for the next 3 years. It is the responsibility of the player to demonstrate eligibility for the extended exemption. In order to be eligible for an extended exemption, a player must provide notice in advance of the Entry Deadline.

Exemptions for other AGA Tour events – Any such exemptions will be at the discretion of the AGA Director of Rules and Competitions upon receipt of a request in writing detailing the reason(s) for the request. Exemptions will be granted only in special circumstances to individuals of great merit.

Additional exemption provisions for specific events will be posted on the AGA website at www.azgolf.org.

Special Exemptions for Open Majors

The AGA Tournament Committee may grant up to six (6) exemptions. To be eligible for an exemption, a player must submit an Exemption Request form (available on specific Tournament Information website) thirty days prior to the entry deadline and have a legitimate conflict that prevents a player from participating in a qualifier. To be eligible, a player must a) have made the cut in their last participation in the event or b) have a proven skill level that would indicate a strong likelihood of making the cut, and c) have not already played in one of the qualifying rounds. The Tournament Committee will review applications received, and in their sole determination, issue up to six (6) exemptions.

Two (2) places are reserved at the sole discretion of the AGA Director of Rules and Competitions for players identified prior to the publication of pairings for an event who by their proven playing ability or community visibility would likely compete for the championship and/or add to the quality of the event.

Host Site Invitations

Major Championships – Four (4) places reserved.

Non-Major Tour Events – Two (2) places reserved at discretion of the Director of Rules and Competitions. Host site invitations are available to members/affiliates of the site who meet any handicap or other event requirements. Standard TPA entry fees must be paid in advance of the issuance of pairings to secure a place.

For all AGA Events, a Host Site must notify the AGA of its invitations prior to the entry deadline.

Entering a Tournament

Players wishing to enter an AGA Tour Tournament must either enter on-line by midnight on the AGA website or deliver an entry form with payment to the AGA office prior to 4:30pm on the deadline date specified.

Late Entries

Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Committee for space-available places in the field. An additional service fee of $25 will be charged.

Divisional Events

The total field size will be published. A maximum of three positions will be held open in each Division until the entry deadline. Then the order of the waitlist will complete the final field.

Withdrawing from a Tournament Prior to Deadline

Members may withdraw from Tournaments by

Calling the AGA office during normal business hours

Calling the Withdrawal Line 602-944-3035 (ext. 210). Voicemail messages left after 4:30pm will be considered official as of 7:30am of the next business day for the sake of refund considerations, if any.

Withdrawing from a Tournament After the Entry Deadline

Withdrawals made after the entry deadline will be considered late withdrawals.

Fees will be returned for a late withdrawal only if the player’s position in the field is filled by an alternate. In any case, an administrative fee of $30 will be deducted from the refund, regardless of the reason for the withdrawal. Once a player’s starting time has passed prior to the withdrawal, no refund of fees will be made.

A player may withdraw after the beginning play by speaking directly with an AzRC Rules Official or AGA staff member.

While off-site (not present at tournament site), a player may withdraw late from the current tournament by speaking directly with an AGA staff member or by calling the AGA Withdrawal Line at 602-944-3035 (Ext 210).

Repeated late withdrawals will subject a player to disciplinary action under the AGA Code of Conduct policy.

Prior to the entry deadline, those wishing to enter after the field is filled will be placed on a Wait List. Players who have withdrawn from a tournament will be replaced in the tournament field by the next available player on the tournament’s Wait List. The AGA will attempt to contact alternates for the field each week, but it remains the alternate’s responsibility to be available or check with the AGA in order to remain in consideration. If an attempt to contact an alternate is unsuccessful, AGA at its sole discretion may move to the next player on the Wait List.

It is the Players’ responsibility to be aware of their priority and alternate list status. Players with questions about their status should contact AGA Tournament staff. There is no penalty for removing a name from the Wait List at any time, provided the player has not already gained access into the tournament field.

In some cases, there may be playing opportunities created by players who no-show the day of the tournament. The AGA will attempt to fill open places in an event up to the available starting time. Alternates at a site must check in with the AGA staff on arrival, and will be placed into the field as a place becomes available. If multiple alternates are present, the order of the Wait List governs.

Order of Alternates

The Alternate List(s) are determined by the following:

Major Championships: a) Exempt player withdrawals will be first replaced by exempt players in the order of the Wait List; if none, the general Wait List will determine access; b) Non-exempt player withdrawals will be replaced by the first available player.

Tour Open events: Prior to the entry deadline, vacancies will be filled first by TPA members in numerical order; after deadline in the order of the Wait List.

Tour Divisional events: Each Division shall have a Wait List. Withdrawals from any Division shall first be replaced by alternates from that Division.

Contact Us

About Us

The Arizona Golf Association (AGA), which was founded in 1923, is a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) association that serves as the official governing body of amateur golf in Arizona. What started as a small group of golfers who got together to run the annual Amateur Championship has grown to an association of more than 700 men’s and women’s clubs, serving nearly 80,000 individual members. Today the AGA is a volunteer-based organization directed by amateur golfers passionately dedicated to promoting the game of golf and providing valuable benefits and services to its members.